William westlake



{No Model.)

W. 'WESTLAKE.

Stove Platform.

, No. 232,427. Patented Sept; 21, 1880.

W %/M 4 fimjwfim \i $21 2 W N. PETERS, PMQTQ-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C,

NITE STATES PATENT truce.

STOVE-PLATFORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 232,427, dated September 21, 1880.

Application filed May 26, 1880.

(N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stove-Platforms, (the heatshields which are placed under stoves to produce a nice finish and preserve the carpet from injury 5) and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

The improvement rel ates to the rim. I have, in Letters Patent to me, dated January 29, 1879, No. 211,676, shown a platform of sheet metal with a raised rim around the edge, having such rim strengthened by a vertical web of metal embraced within it, the rim thus reenforced being adapted to greatly stiffen and strengthen the platform for its period of use in the winter, and also for standing on edge during its period of disuse in the summer; but that mode of construction involved the introduction of a separate piece of metal.

I have discovered that with ordinary metal, such as common sheet-zinc, I can, by properly operating, spin the edge under and turn it up within the raised rim, so as to produce the same effect without the labor involved in the manufacture and insertion of the additional piece. .The improvement involves a marked economy in the manufacture of these universally-demanded articles. The device is less liable to be deranged in consequence of its unity of structure.

The metal for my improved platform must, of course, be so much larger than theintended finished diameter as will allow the proper quantity of metal to be turned under and formed up in the interior of the rim. I effect the severaloperations by spinning. The sheet of metal being firmly clamped in a suitable chuck, is first made perfectly round by a cutting-tool removing the surplus at the edge, and then, by a series of spinning operations, brought rapidly and perfectly to the condition required.

The accompanying drawingsform a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

form on a small scale. The succeeding figures represent the several stepsby which I have succeeded in producing it. Fig. 2 shows the edge of the sheet in cross-section in a plane condition. Fig. 3 shows the same after having been acted on by the ordinary spinners tool to form the circular raised ridge, head, or rim which is to extend around close to the periphery of the finished platform. It is thus raised a considerable distance inward from the edge of the plane sheet. Fig. 1 shows the same after the exterior part, which is to be turned under and upward, is formed down at right angles to the main body of the platform. This also shows the tongs by which I lightly embrace the portion exterior to the rim, and gently but rapidly spin it into the required form. Fig. 5 shows the same after it has, by treatment with the wheel represented, been curved under so that its edge nearly, but not quite, touches the interior of the raised rim. Fig. 6 shows the same after the succeeding operations with a differentlyformed wheel and spinning-tool.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A is the main body of the metal. B is the annular raised ridge or rim, made preferably in an ornamental section, and of sufficient width and height to substantially strengthen the platform. 0 D are the parts which are left plain outside of the rim or head B, which are ultimately to form the horizontal and upright strengthening webs or parts. 0 is the horizontal part, which is to lie on the floor; and D is the upright part, which is to stand stiffly within the rim or head B, and contribute to its support when it is trod upon or otherwise subjected to strain.

Metal-spinners will find little difficulty in performing the operations from the suggestions given in the figures. The fact that any bending inward of the lip by diminishing the diameter necessitates an upsetting or compacting of the metal together, as well as the mere bending at the turn, renders it necessary to treat each part with the proper tool at each stage of the operation.

The tongs M, Fig. 4, leave the parts 0 D in a plain cylindrical condition, like a plain web' wheel 0, Fig. 6, skillfully applied, shapes both the verticalpart D and the horizontal part 0, and forms them up nearly to the bearing position under the rim B.

The tool P, Fig. 6, is touched but lightly under the rim to deflect the parts 0 D upward and cause the edge of D to bear.

The metal is finished free from strain or tendency to warp. The rim thus strengthened may be highly decorative, and is strong in both directions, both to resist a flattening of the rim B and an indenting of the extreme periphery.

It may be remarked that, like the platform described in my patent of January, l879, referred to, the part A should incline to stand a little off the floor when the part 0 comes to a fair bearing thereon, so that the resting of the legs of the stove on A is certain to press the periphery of the device firmly and evenly upon the carpet all around.

Modifications may be made. I can make the platform of suitable iron instead of zinc. I can make it of two thicknesses of the same or different metal and in such case I can introduce a thin layer of felt, stout paper, or

other non-conducting material between; but I do not consider any such additions necessary in most cases.

Economy requires that the structure be made at a low cost, and a single thickness of metal is ordinarily sufficient.

The upper surface of the whole should be buffed bright with a rag-wheel or other suitable device. It may be variously decorated or engraved by any suitable machinery.

Small beads may be produced at various points within the peripheral bead or rim B.

I claim as my invention- In a stove-platform, the plane inward extension 0 and cylindrical vertical extension D, formed in one with the metal of the body A, and arranged to support and strengthen the bead B, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at New York city, New York, this 18th day of May, 1880, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM WESTLAKE.

Witnesses:

THOMAS D. STETSON, CHARLES C. STETsoN. 

